British sprinter Amy Hunt has clarified that her criticism of a recent advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney was not intended as a personal attack. The 24-year-old Team GB athlete spoke about the controversy on Good Morning Britain, emphasizing that the discussion sparked by the campaign ultimately highlighted and celebrated female athletes.

The advert in question, produced by American betting company Novig, features 29-year-old Sweeney posing nude alongside various sports equipment, including footballs, a tennis racket, a baseball bat, and a hockey stick. The campaign generated significant backlash from several female athletes who argued that it sexualized women’s sport rather than promoting it respectfully.

Hunt initially expressed her disapproval after finishing fourth in the 200m final at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday. In a post-race interview, she directly challenged the portrayal, saying, “Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like,” signaling a preference for authentic representation of athletes.

During her appearance on Good Morning Britain, Hunt noted that the reaction to the advert had grown beyond the initial moment, with many sharing positive compilations celebrating women’s sports. She said the conversation had evolved into a broader acknowledgment of female athleticism, distancing her response from any personal criticism of the actress involved.

Following the backlash, Sweeney took to Instagram Stories to share a series of photos showing renowned athletes such as Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Megan Rapinoe, Caroline Wozniacki, and Rob Gronkowski posing nude, aimed at framing the campaign within a wider context of athletic imagery.

The differing reactions to the campaign underscore ongoing debates about the representation of women in sport and advertising, with athletes and advertisers navigating the balance between empowerment and objectification.